Can you get a CMT from school or just through AAMT?
Posted By: not so new but confused on 2006-06-01
In Reply to:
I had a gal tell me that other day she was going to finish school to get her certification. She plans to use the CMT title when applying for jobs. I always thought you had to take the exam through AAMT. She is just going to a community college taking a med. transcription course. Am I wrong or is she?
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
The AAMT and the "Top Three" just feed each other - so-called approval by AAMT means nothing
a lot of community college programs are far better than the "top three." Just make sure you get plenty of actual dictation. If you don't have good grammar skills and aren't a literary-type person this may not be the field for you. I can't tell you the unbelievable applications I get for MT jobs - misspelled words, sloppy grammar, and how about those st*pid email addresses THEHOT1@aol.com, etc. Sheesh. If you're one of THOSE, then be prepared to look for a l o n g time to get your first job LOL
The AAMT.
x
and since WHEN is AAMT the BE ALL of anything?
AAMT BOS
If someone tells you to use the AAMT BOS for a test do they mean just as far as grammar and spelling, etc., or do they mean there is a certain template and setup for the test?
AAMT BOS
Are you following the AAMT Book of Style? I failed the first time I took it also and it was because I did not use this book. I purchased the book and passed!
AAMT BOS
I just did my externship at a site that would not let me use the AAMT BOS third edition. They explained that it has to be reviewed by their review board. They explained that those books are made to make them money. They do, however, standby the AAMT BOS second edition.
I was so excited to have the newest version, too! Oh well, I know there will be a day down the road where I'll be thankful in having it!
M-TEC is AAMT approved
M-TEC would get my vote, because they are the only school that has been approved by the American Association for Medical Transcription.
Have you contacted the AAMT yet? sm
Have you contacted the AAMT yet? They have a message board on their website, and I believe they have a totally volunteer mentoring program.
A lot of new MTs who ask for mentors in public forums run into people who want to be paid, or who want you to work for free, or goodness only knows what.
It is not necessary or desirable to pay a mentor.
If you go through the AAMT program, or at least ask on their boards, you'll be more likely to find an experienced, reputable MT who can mentor you without charge or obligation.
Good luck to you!
Redpen
Andrews School
AAMT-approved
My school was AAMT-approved. But so far even the local companies in my area won't hire without experience. I live right outside of Nashville and have several companies including eTransPlus, Transhealth, and Spheris close by. Medquist recently moved. TransHealth was at least nice enough to reply back to my application. The others haven't done anything. Thanks for your responses.
Yea right... Just like the AAMT tried to pretend
they weren't involved in offshoring until they had no choice.....
When in doubt go my AAMT BOS, etc.
dangerous abbreviations. They are looking more at if you can spell, have good grammar, and know the terminology. Most companies use AAMT BOS, but there are always exceptions, so style really isn't an issue, unless instructed otherwise.
I've never had to do a retest so I'm not sure if companies change their tests periodically. I have found that testing can vary greatly, from something an 8th grader could do, to something that I with 20 years of experience thought was difficult (though they tend to have varying levels of testing depending on experience).
If you are wondering if you didn't test well the first time would it be beneficial for you to bone up on items you may have missed in hopes of getting them right a second time, I don't feel that is beneficial to you. You might be able to pass the test, but you don't really know the information, and that will be evident in a short period of time.
CS is AAMT Approved
:)
AAMT BOS 2 and 3 difference?
I have the AAMT BOS second edition. Of course, now there is a third. I am starting to notice a few things different (such as numbers). I want to know if I really need to buy the newest book or if there is a place I can download anything that might differ between the second edition and the third? Thank you for any suggestions.
Just wondering why you are bothering with AAMT
They have no power to force a school to change its policies. They're just there to soak hardworking American MTs for huge membership fees so they can turn around and spend that money to support sending all our jobs to India and the Philippines.
In any event, M-Tec does have a tiered program for people with medical background. You might have better luck contacting the schools directly.
There are only two approved/certified by the AAMT.
.
and there are 2 AAMT rejected for approval and won't
how is a potential student supposed to know to stay away from the 2 not approved?
AAMT has some gall.
Because no one cares about the AAMT. Except India.
x
CS Has to have instructors or AAMT could not approve them
It's part of the approval process. It's a requirement. They have to have instructors who are qualified.
AAMT is not the BE ALL of the MT industry. Frankly, I think they're a
joke. I also wouldn't recommend anyone to one particular "approved" school. The best schools are Andrews, MTec, Career Step, and SETT. Don't get hooked up with any school that you see on TV or read an ad in the paper that promises you can earn piles of money straight out of school.
That's cheaper than AAMT. Is a 3-part test, too?
x
You've been listenng to AAMT and that will depress anyone!
The truth is, we've always had changes and we always will. Becoming hysterical about it runs off all prospective MTs so that eventually employers will have to go overseas because all of the American MTs will have been scared off by messages such as yours.
Keep learning. Stay flexible. Be ready to make changes when it's appropriate to make them, not every time someone yells that we're doomed!
AHDI (AAMT) approved list
http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/mtapproved.cfm
I doubt its "the CMT exam" which AAMT has some organization
the test you are referring to is probabky your final exam there at the school and you will receive a "certificate" for MT, not the same thing. Also it cost $300 or so and you must have a minimum of 2 years experience working as a MT before you are even allowed to take the test. Go to the AAMT web site and look up the test certification requirements.
I'm guessing they mean the 3 schools listed on the AAMT site...
...as being AAMT-approved: M-TEC, Andrews and CareerStep. Please correct me if I'm wrong, you actual MTs... (I'm just another newbie thinking of entering training!) :)
Definitely check Word board(s) daily to see what you don't know. And you need your AAMT BOS II
s
You say CS, is this Career Step? Is this one of the AAMT approved schools? sm
I know there are several, but can't remember their names. If so, you probably don't need to worry about a local college. The AAMT approved schools (I am not an AAMT supporter) will at least get you a good chance at a job, if you do well.
Don't worry about the grumblers. Complaining is human nature, I do it myself. If you get good training, work hard and are a flexible, fast learner, you can make a good living. Those of us from the old school miss the "gravy days," but they'll never come back. It's still a good profession, especially if you approach it as one, not a sideline. Good luck.
It is true. Those have tested and meet AAMT's minimum requirements
The Approval Process does mean something to me. It means that those schools have been tested and at least meet the minimum requirements, according to AAMT's standards. It doesn't say if they have gone over and beyond those minimum standards, but people in the industry know that already.
Anything coming from the AAMT holds no water anymore - they invalidated their status
when they sold us out for the $$ in India. AAMT means another chance to screw MT's, that's all.
Accredited basically means they offer financial aid. Did you mean AAMT-Approved?
If it's an AAMT-approved school, you won't have a problem. Schools that provide financial aid are required to be accredited. That means their financial records are reviewed to make sure the government's money is being handled right. They aren't evaluating the value of the course or qualifications of the course to teach medical transcription.
Agree with an outside school, but I went to a business & tech school. Great experience, better
s
Forget "approved" schools. AAMT set the criteria, then approved schools that didn't meet i
Stick with Andrews or M-Tec (both of which happen to be "approved") but forget about any others, they are not worth it.
Can't forget the AAMT Book of Style II! Gotta have it for style/formatting, etc. nm
s
You CAN get a job at home, right out of school, but it has to be a GOOD school.
You should enroll in Andrews School or M-TEC. I know you don't want to spend more money, but at least you WILL be able to get a job. If you thought At Home Professions was a good course, you will be totally amazed at what you DIDN'T learn in that course that you WILL learn at the two good schools. There is no "required" curriculum for MT, anybody can open up a school, charge what they want, and teach what they want. Companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement for graduates of Andrews School and M-TEC, but NOT for the other schools.
School?
Has anyone graduated from Thomson Education Direct and got hired anywhere?
Just wondering about choosing the right school for medical transcription course.
MT school
I attend the Andrews School. It has a very good reputation among national services--some will even waive the minimum 2-year experience requirement and allow you to test for them if you are an Andrews graduate. I have heard good things about M-Tec as well. I would suggest that you contact hospitals, nationals, etc. that you might want to work for and ask them which schools they suggest as far as turning out job-ready graduates. Good luck!
$ for MT school
No, I don't. We have debt out of our ears but you can make payments or charge it or whatever it takes. I've always had to spend money to make money. I just want to make sure I can make it back fairly soon. When I do the math it seems like you have to be pretty darn fast at transcription to earn a living. I admire the people out there doing it!
School and $$$
Hey, sorry about your ankle. Sounds like this could be a perfect time to study for MT. I'm sure I saw scholarship information that was based on financial need on one of the "3" schools...Andrews, MTEC or Career Step. Go to their websites and see! All the best to you! 
What to look for in a school
There are three things to look at in choosing a school and neither of them is money.
The first is whether national services already hire their grads and keep them longer than 6 months.
The second is what percentage of the grads score adequately on the employer's test.
The third is how many students complete the course with a grade of 95% or better on the first try.
Even if an employer is willing to hire from a school, if few grads pass his test and qualify to be hired, then the school isn't so hot. If the employer hires, but the grads can't keep the job for even 6 months, then the school isn't so hot. If the school has a high drop-out rate and many students (sometimes "most") don't make it to graduation, then the school isn't so hot. If it takes students several tries to pass, then the school isn't so hot.
You can see that just examining whether an employer will hire a grad isn't such a good measure. You also have to look at how many students get to graduation, how they got there, how many of them passed the test, and how many of those didn't get fired or quit in frustration.
You want a school whose grads are almost uniformly hired by nationals and which graduates nearly all students (all have drops, but you want a low level of those) on the first try.
Considering all that, you have two options: M-Tec and Andrews. And Andrews has a pre-admission test you'll need to pass to get in.
In your case, you should not go for a school which will allow you to skip any courses. You don't know anatomy and terminology like you'll need it for MT--what you know is what you need for billing, and that is different. Unless you hold a PhD in anatomy, you need to refresh your memory. Any school that lets you get away with not doing that does not have your best interests in mind.
School
I recently graduated from Thomson Education Direct. Recently changed to Penn Foster.... I made 49.00 month payments with no interest. Is a good school!
yes, I'm still in school ..... nm
zz
Still in school????
I assumed from your post you were a recent graduate.
school
I agree.....Accept a challenge to succeed.
School
Education Direct,,,now called Penn Foster.
Great School!
School
HHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMM! I just graduated and landed a job within one week.!!!!
School
Are you stocking me? Your a stress ball!
Is school a must?
I have been an administrative assistant for 8 + years and I will be graduating from my Medical Office Specialist/Billing and Coding class in May. Do I absolutely have to go to school to become an MT or can I just test to get a job? Any responses will be greatly appreciated.
Shona`
re: Is school a must?
Yes! Have you mastered anatomy and physiology? Do you know pharmacology? Can you know medical abbreviations? Can you decipher various dialects of providers well enough to produce a medicolegal document? How about the body systems, brain functioning, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, orthopedics, pulmonology, etc., operative techniques? Medical terminology of all the above specialities, plus more, then if your answer is yes, then test away. Transcription is a labor intensive occupation that requires medical knowledge, dedication, and accuracy.
Is school a must?
If you are really good at learning from a book and feel like you lack experience in just a few areas, then study that way. I got a little training but mostly I was self taught. I knew what I wanted and studied from books and listened to any dictations I could find. The hardest part is getting your foot in the door. I put applications in everywhere and was lucky to have a small MTSO let me show them what I was capable of though. If you have the extra money for the schooling, then go for it. I dont believe that it's a must though.
Good luck!
What school did you go to?
They should be able to help you, if the school was any good. If not, then you need more education from a better school.
school
I graduated from Career Step recently and I felt they thoroughly educated me on just about everything i needed to know. I took the online course and it took me about 9 months to finish.
School
NC Newbie -- what school did you attend? I assume you're from North Carolina, and so am I. Since I have done acute medical transcription years ago, I am in the process of trying to find a school for refresher courses. A lot of medical stays the same, but there are a lot of new procedures, drugs, etc.
|
